A083 Affirm Anglican Connections
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That the 81st General Convention affirm our continued relationship with the broader Anglican Communion as reflected through the work of the Anglican Consultative Council and the other Instruments of Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That General Convention give thanks for, and encourage participation in, the many networks which exist in the Anglican Communion such as in the areas of youth, family, indigenous, peace and justice, women, environment, health and community, safe church, interfaith concerns, church planting and colleges and universities; and be it further
Resolved, That General Convention affirm the need to continue to work across theological, cultural and social differences, and encourage that all Episcopal leaders take time to consider the proposal from the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Faith, Unity and Order (IASCFUO) presented at the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-18) in February 2023; and be it further
Resolved, That General Convention encourage the use of the Anglican Cycle of Prayer Calendar issued by the Anglican Communion Office across the Episcopal Church thus uniting Anglicans around the world in prayer.
Explanation
As the first sentence in the Constitution of the Episcopal Church’s states: “The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, otherwise known as The Episcopal Church (which name is hereby recognized as also designating the Church), is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.”
The Anglican Communion is a family of 42 autonomous and independent-yet-interdependent national, pan-national and regional churches in communion with the See of Canterbury. All of these provinces are guided by recommendations from the four Instruments: the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Primates’ Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council.
As constituent members of the Anglican Communion, it is imperative that The Episcopal Church – as individuals, dioceses, and the Church—affirm our support of the Anglican Communion as set forth in this resolution. To be in relationship does not necessitate complete agreement on all issues. Rather, the voice of The Episcopal Church is vital in upholding and advocating for the values of God’s liberating love throughout the world.